DIY: Cleaning Products like a $0.16 Febreze Alternative

Photo Credits: Thank you, Sanja Gjenero

These are a few of the recipes I use for DIY cleaning products at home. I have been asked more than once how to make dish soap as well. I won’t be listing the dish soap here unless requested. My reasoning for this is really simple. It makes no sense to me to spend 10 to 15 dollars on supplies to make 5 bottles of dish soap, when instead you can buy ten bottles of dish soap at the dollar store for the same price. (However, if you’re willing to shove out the money for it you can always use castile soap.)

Scented Window Cleaner/Air Freshener (Oil Method)

1/8 cup of rubbing alcohol
1/4 ounce of fragrance oil
Combine the rubbing alcohol and the fragrance oil into a 8-16 ounce spray bottle. Shake thoroughly and add water.
Estimated cost: $0.64

Air Freshener- Using the Fabric Softener Method (The Febreze alternative)

I love Febreze. Do you love Febreze? Of course you do. That’s a stupid question. Everybody loves Febreze. This is really the only the method for making air freshener that I actually like. (While pregnant.)
Any LIQUID fabric softener of your choice (Around half a cap full)
2-3 tablespoons of baking soda.
Combine the fabric softener and the baking soda, pour into 8 oz spray bottle. Add water. That’s it. You’re done. I can’t make it much more than that.

Estimated cost: $0.16 per bottle

Laundry Soap

Plain and simple. The easiest method if you must use laundry soap is maybe a cup of borax, grated & then melted Fels Naptha Soap. I’ve used 2-3 bars of Ivory Soap. Just because to me, soap is soap so who cares honestly. Boil it all in a pot. Let it sit for 24-48 hours and ta-da it will turn into the lovely gel. You can add fragrance if you like. I do. Most people add a quarter cup to a half cup of sodium bicarbonate. (washing soda, not baking soda) I am not a perfectionist and I’m usually pleased as long as the job is done.

Estimated cost: Should cost at about less than $2.60 per 76 ounces.
  Multi-Purpose Cleaner

Orange & lemon essential oils are best. Tea tree oil has shown to provide anti-fungal and anti-bacterial effects. It stinks. I don’t like to use more than 2 drops. Orange oil and water is a wood cleaner and a great floor cleaner. Lemon oil and one part white vinegar and one part water is an disinfected. Use for counters, floors, bathrooms, etc.

Estimated cost: Approx: $0.20-$0.40 per 8 oz. (Note: Cost depends on the essential oil brand YOU buy. There are brands where you can find for less than 3 dollars a bottle for essential oils but you must search. Search until you can’t search anymore.)
  WARNING: Beware of puppy/kitten paws around essential oils. The oils can be absorbed the puppy/kitten paws and can be toxic to your furry friends. Use carefully.